CHC Applauds Sec. Mattis’ Pledge to Protect Military Dreamers
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February 20, 2018
March 5th DACA Deadline is Less than 20 Days Away
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) leadership sent a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis thanking him for his pledge to protect immigrant service members from deportation. Sec. Mattis also said he spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to confirm the protections.
"Your assurance that those enlisted and awaiting basic training, active duty members, active reserve members, and those with an honorable discharge can continue to serve and contribute to our nation provides peace of mind to those who have bravely put their lives on the line to keep our country safe," the Members wrote.
The Members highlighted the bipartisan House legislation being worked on and added, "Dreamers deserve to feel secure in the only country they have ever known."
The letter was signed by: Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Caucus Chair; Rep. Joaquin Castro, Caucus First Vice Chair; Rep. Ruben Gallego, Caucus Second Vice Chair; Rep. Pete Aguilar, Caucus Whip; and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Caucus Freshman Representative.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
TEXT OF LETTER
February 16, 2018
The Honorable James Mattis
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000
Dear Secretary Mattis:
Thank you for your commitment to shield Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients who serve in our military from deportation. Your assurance that those enlisted and awaiting basic training, active duty members, active reserve members, and those with an honorable discharge can continue to serve and contribute to our nation provides peace of mind to those who have bravely put their lives on the line to keep our country safe.
Since 2012, DACA recipients have come out of the shadows and provided sensitive information to the United States government in good faith. This information includes addresses, photos, biometric information, and employment records. We are glad to hear that you spoke to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in detail about this issue and we hope that she will make a similar commitment to protect DACA recipients from deportation if their status expires.
President Trump's decision to end the DACA program and impose a March 5th deadline is now less than 20 days away. While the Senate failed to reach a DACA compromise this week, the House of Representatives has several bipartisan bills pending consideration such as H.R. 3440, DREAM Act, and H.R. 4796, the Uniting and Securing America Act of 2018. Until an agreement is reached, Dreamers deserve to feel secure in the only country they have ever known.
Thank you again for your pledge to protect immigrant service members from deportation. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any one of our offices if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Michelle Lujan Grisham
CHC Chairwoman
Joaquin Castro
CHC First Vice Chair
Ruben Gallego
CHC Second Vice Chair
Pete Aguilar
CHC Whip
Adriano Espaillat
CHC Freshman Representative
CC: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen
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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.